I am writing this in the midst of the 48th annual AAHSA (American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging) conference at McCormick Convention Center in Chicago. About 7,500 leaders of this nation’s not-for-profit, faith-based, senior retirement housing and healthcare organizations have gathered together for this conference. Literally hundreds of excellent educational sessions in taking place, along with Key note addresses from the likes of Garrison Kiellor (Prarie Home Companion) to authors and organizational leaders.
The AAHSA Board of Directors (I humbly serve on the board) made up of 20 others who are truly great and dedicated leaders in the field of healthcare and community-base services. At Friday’s Board Meeting (11/5/09) though general boarde consensus, we supported the passage of the House version of the Healthcare Reform Act, though truthfully, many of us are troubled by some of the details.
Now that the Senate will consider its’ version, it’ll be so interesting to see how different it might be compared to the House bill. Assuming the Senate passes their version (possibly by the end of the year), a compromised final viersion will then need to be considered. So we have a long way to go to get any eventual Healthcare Reform measures. AAHSA is supporting its own component of the bill called “CLASS Act” (you can read it starting on page 1652 of the House Bill). Very simply summarized, the CLASS ACT calls for a mechanism in which employees / employers can make a modest monthly donation into which becomes a form of long-term / disabilty insurance. After a ‘vesting’ period of about 5 years, once one is disabled or a senior needing help with two ADLs (activities of daily living) the person can recieve a cash payment to purchase these services. The goal of the CLASS Act is to allow this insurance to be put into the hands of the individual to purchase care. Home Health and other Community Based service providers are thus incentivized to provide reasonably priced care. This will reduce the strain on Medicare and Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office suggests this will save $60 Billion dollars over 10 years and it is financially sustainable for 50 years!
Lots of talk about the CLASS Act. I’ll be writing more about this in the future.
I am so impressed with the people I am meeting. Thousands of dedicated professionals, each with their own stories of the people and organizations they serve.
Cedar Community is being represented here by two Cedar Community Board members and three staff members. We are learning, sharing and networking as we plan for a future of changes and greater expectations from our residents to tomorrow. More information later!
